School releases diplomas withheld over cap-tossing

NORRIDGE — Administrators at a suburban Chicago high school have had a change of heart after withholding diplomas from an entire class because some students defied instructions not to toss their caps in the air at graduation.

Ridgewood High School in Norridge initially posted a message on its website saying it would only release diplomas if representatives of the graduating class apologized in person at the next school board meeting. It referred to the cap-tossing at Tuesday's ceremony as "disrespectful and insubordinate behavior."

Some parents and students expressed disbelief.

By Thursday morning, officials had reversed course and replaced the announcement with one saying it had "re-thought" its policy and would be sending out diplomas immediately.